Deck General · Load Lines
A vessel loading in fresh water will float at a different draft than in salt water because:
- AFresh water is denser than salt water, so the vessel floats lower
- BFresh water is less dense than salt water, so the vessel sinks deeper for the same displacement✓ Correct
- CFresh water has no effect on draft; only cargo weight determines draft
- DSalt water provides more buoyancy due to its temperature being lower
Explanation
Salt water has a density of approximately 1.025 t/m3 versus 1.000 t/m3 for fresh water. Since fresh water is less dense, a vessel displaces more volume to support the same weight, causing it to sit deeper. The 'F' (Fresh) and 'TF' (Tropical Fresh) marks account for this difference.
Authority: 46 CFR
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